40 MALAY POISONS AND CHAEM CUBES 



of the body* Offerings of food are sometimes put into 

 special basket-trays {anckak). If the offeriogs are 

 intended for forest demons they are hung from a tree, 

 if gnomes are to be conciliated they are buried in the 

 ground, or they may be fixed to seaward on a fishing 

 stake. 



Sometimes Kelantan Malays erect, of their own 

 accord, stems of bamboo {sakok or sangkdk) about four 

 feet long, to make homely sacrifice to the spirits of 

 disease. These bamboo cressets ** are stuck in the 

 ground near any one's dwelling-place ; the free end is 

 spUt in several places, so as to form a receptacle in 

 which a yomig green coco-nut is placed overnight. 

 During an epidemic it is considered very unlucky to be 

 without a sakok in the garden. This custom is common 

 in Kota Bharu ; when cholera was last prevalent (1920) 

 a sakok was quietly and unobtrusively set up in the 

 garden of my quarters by somebody miknown, but such 

 proceedings are not specially sanctioned by the homor. 



As a practical man the homoT is well aware of the 

 value of ceremony, of mystery, and of pecuHar elocution 

 in his role as a magician or wizard. Powerful incanta- 

 tions that are difficult to understand are essential; 

 he uses many Sanskrit and Arabic words and sometimes 

 rigmarole. A formula given me by an old homor in an 

 up-country district of Kelantan is one mainly intended 

 to neutraUse the power of forest demons and other 

 black jin dwelling " beyond the mountain's farthest 

 purple rim," but it may be used also as a charm for 

 practically any jiisease. It is one long threat, but the 

 Malay is corrupt and is untranslatable in places : — 



Peace be with thee I Forest Lord and Jungle Chief, 

 Whose realm is the World ! 

 Prince whose sway is over this jungle land ! 

 Well know I whence thou art sprung. 



